Charles Michel, former president of the European Council, has spoken about his experiences regarding the issue of Kosovo and Serbia. He stated that membership in the European Union is the best means to convince both countries to normalize relations.
Michel has stated that EU membership is, in his opinion, the best way to ease tensions and normalize relations, Gazeta Express reports.
"I honestly feel that the strongest tool is EU membership. And if we want Kosovo and Serbia to be courageous at the domestic level, because I know that both in Kosovo and in Serbia, there is a need to convince citizens that the choices that are being made are the best choices for them, I think the best way to convince people about them. I think the best way to convince people is for those leaders and those societies to have this membership perspective. Because this membership, in my opinion, is the best way to ease tensions, to normalize relations and to develop a more positive agenda oriented towards the future," Michel told Euronews.
Furthermore, the former EC president stated that there were times when they were disappointed with Kosovo, but also other times when they were disappointed with Serbia.
He also recalled how a few years ago, the EU believed they were close to reaching basic agreements between Kosovo and Serbia, but this ultimately failed.
"Look, based on my experience, I have the impression that sometimes, in fact, we have been disappointed by Serbia, but sometimes we have also been disappointed by Kosovo. And I think that at the EU level we have always tried to be honest and balanced. We do not underestimate the challenges and difficulties in the area of normalization between Kosovo and Serbia. And I remember very well that a year or two ago we had the impression, within the EU, that we were close to reaching some basic agreements between Kosovo and Serbia. And in the end, it failed," he added.
Asked by the journalist which of the leaders between Albin Kurti and Aleksandar Vučić has been the more ''stubborn'', Michel responded by saying that at the EU level, they have felt that in some cases they have had more difficulties with one side, and in others, with the other side.
"No, I don't intend to answer this question, because if I do I would be unproductive. Sometimes at the EU level, we have had the impression that we have had more difficulties with one side. Sometimes we have had difficulties with the other side. But we do not lose sight of the big picture. We understand that there are many emotions, also many realities and internal difficulties that we have to take into account and we have to respect. But you know, the history of the EU is based on reconciliation," he added. /GazetaExpress
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